Patsy Matheson
Album: Stories Of Angels & Guitars
Label: Tomorrow
Tracks: 10
Website: www.patsymatheson.co.uk

Former member of Waking The Witch, Patsy Matheson, returns from the world of recording with a fabulous album, "Stories Of Angels & Guitars". I mention Waking The Witch in passing not just because of the legacy they passed on through the individual members when they went their own way, but more because there were a lot of people out there that did think of them as angels with guitars.

Patsy writes in a very visual way, she projects the images into your mind, sometimes to the point where they song almost runs like movie. "Sylvia Jane" could almost be the script of a black and white movie from off BBC2. Flyboy meets landlord's daughter and falls in love, takes her to cinema, courts her, returns to Tiger Squadron to learn how to fly Meteors and get's killed in training, a beautiful poignant song that serves as film noir.

The album is recorded simply, for most of the tracks it's just Patsy and her guitar and where she does need other instruments, she plays them herself, though she does allow space for a couple of musicians, Hugh Whitaker and Jon Short, to guest and Phil Snell shares the duties behind the desk.

I'm sometimes wary of an artist doing too many roles on an album, it sometimes interferes with the critical faculties causing an album to get a little self indulgent, no such fears here. Patsy has adopted a pace back approach, allowing the songs and melodies to speak for themselves without the need for adornment.

I wouldn't want to be the subject of "Hundred Guitars" this song has the potential to be Patsy's "You're So Vain". The song revels in the difference between some that has a real passion and absorbs themselves in it with collecting the same items and only using them as decoration, the guitars on the wall, and though not mentioned in the song, the sort of person that keeps highly polished sports cars in the showroom, not being driven on the road.

"Stories Of Angels & Guitars" is not an album to be rushed, give yourself time to listen to it properly so you can get the reward due you. Because it is such a visual album, you need to be able to have the time to sit and take it all in. You can just listen to it, but you won't be getting the best out of it that way.

"Water Is Over The Weir" is going to be highlighted as the single track and well worthy of the task it is too, capturing the essence of the album, whilst having a slightly more radio friendly feel to it. "Stories Of Angels & Guitars" is a great album to welcome the new musical year in.

Neil King